Sometimes it’s nice to plan and discover outdoor adventures on your own.  But let’s admit it, it’s usually better when someone can show you where the most fantastic destinations are.  That’s why the founders of Gear Easy launched an outdoor adventure marketplace.

We caught up with Jason, one of the founders who explained: “When I’m traveling in a new area or even my own backyard there are a lot of great outdoor activities that only a few locals really know about”.  Jason continued “we grew tired of the crowds at popular outdoor areas and were looking for a way to access more authentic destinations without hiring an expensive touristy guide company, and we noticed there were very few options”.

While Gear Easy isn’t the first company to go into this space, they are quickly becoming one of the largest. In just a few months since launching they have hundreds of registered outdoor guides in the U.S. offering outdoor activities as small as 1-2 hour hikes in the Utah mountains to week-long treks through the Appalachians, all hosted by local guides. “We saw most of the competition were focused on established and expensive large outdoor guiding companies who already had a presence on the web.

Gear Easy’s focus is just the opposite, we offer more authentic adventures from real locals, many who guide part-time or as a hobby, at a much lower price.  The positive response has been overwhelming because people value true experiences over cookie-cutter packaged tours” Jason stated.

Research shows Gear Easy might be onto something.  Millennials, America’s largest generation by population, are soon to enter their earning prime. With a majority of this generation now in the workforce, they currently command an estimated $1.3 trillion in annual consumer spending.

Where will this generation direct their wallets? Eventbrite’s nationwide research of millennials (defined as Americans born 1980-1996) conducted by Harris, reveals this generation not only highly values experiences, but they are increasingly spending time and money on them: from concerts and social events to athletic pursuits to cultural experiences and events of all kinds.  Often, the authenticity of an experience matters, and buying a one-of-a-kind offering versus something mass market has an increasing appeal to customers.  In the technology-enabled sharing economy, these types of customized products and services can often be offered straight from the creator or host at a much lower price.

Gear Easy’s marketplace is not without its flaws.  As with any sharing technology platform, you could have a bad experience due to a non-professional guide or narrow-minded customer.  The company has implemented customer ratings, instant chat, and electronic waiver system along with scheduling technology to help ensure guides meet customer expectations.  They also encourage guides and customers to be safe and have the appropriate insurance and communication habits when adventuring in the outdoors.

At the end of the day, Gear Easy is a great platform, but all of the guides are independent service providers.  Even with the shortcomings and risks that come with sharing technology platforms, guides on the Gear Easy platform are excited.  Sean an outdoor guide offering day hikes said: “I’ve spent years developing my outdoor knowledge and skills, Gear Easy gives me an opportunity to earn money doing something I already love to do and share my favorite hikes with like-minded people.” When asked what he thought about the platform he replied “it works for me, it’s simple, and they take care of all the scheduling and transaction stuff, so I can focus on giving my customers a great experience”

Customers seem to like the concept as well.  The idea of being able to book in advance or on the spot brings a lot of flexibility to travelers.  When we spoke with Kate, who recently booked a wildlife tour with her friend, she said: “it was one of the best parts of our trip because the activity was something I would never have found if I were just looking at traditional travel information.”  She explained that she was able to book the activity the day before and was able to chat with the guide right on the platform about the trip before paying.  She also had to sign a waiver just like with other activities she did during her week-long trip, but she was able to fill it out and sign it right on the iPhone before they started.  Kate said she would definitely use Gear Easy again.

When asked about what’s next Gear Easy, Jason shed some light on their plans “we are focusing on taking care of our guides and customers.  This means improving our technology and customer service, so users keep coming back.” He then elaborated “Gear Easy’s mission is to deliver peak outdoor experiences, or in other words, experiences that people dream about and keep them engaged in the outdoors.”  “We aim to evolve our outdoor experience platform to where adventures, gear, and content all come together in one place for our customers, all backed by technology and advanced analytics.” He ended with “we are excited about the space and believe there will be increasing demand that can be satisfied by great service and simplicity oriented technology.  We are concentrating on the U.S. but when the time is right we will offer services internationally”

We will see where all this goes, it’s definitely exciting to see how technology can bring people together to experience the outdoors.  If you are looking for an interesting adventure or you think you might enjoy being an outdoor guide, then you may want to look at Gear Easy.

The post How technology is helping people share the outdoors appeared first on Atbuz.

A Cautionary Tale

The story below tells of a couple in Alberta that struck out for a small adventure, but mother nature offered up more than they were ready for.  While they weren’t fully prepared for this trip, they did have some basic gear to stay warm and did a good job of signaling their distress.  After that story, we’ll detail a better approach to winter adventures and suggest gear that will keep you safe and comfortable.

Missing pair found in B.C.’s backcountry after writing ‘help’ in snow

Search and rescuers spotted the makeshift SOS sign from aircraft.

Missing pair found in B.C.’s backcountry after writing ‘help’ in snow

Two people reported missing in B.C.’s backcountry were found safe Thursday afternoon thanks to an SOS message they carved in the snow, which was spotted by a rescue aircraft.

Catherine Gibbons, 22, and Damon Brodeur, 24, spent five nights in the cold of B.C.’s Columbia Valley in southeastern B.C. after their car-camping trip went awry.

Steve Talsma, search manager with Columbia Valley Search and Rescue, said the pair took crucial steps that helped them be found.

“They put out an orange tarp, or blanket, and had written ‘help’ in the snow and also drew an arrow to where they were,” Talsma said.

Their vehicle, a silver SUV with a roof rack, could also be seen from above by a rescue aircraft.

Winning Quote:  “Making sure that people are aware of your plans and intentions and when you expect to be back might shorten the time frame [for a rescue],” he said.

A Better Approach

To avoid making news and freezing your buns off, you can make smarter decisions before venturing into the wilds during winter.  We’ll detail the techniques needed, and you can see some gear needed for happy winter adventures at our site.  https://www.sidetrek.co/13-tips-on-how-not-to-die-in-the-snow/

Pick Your Adventure

Pick an adventure that is sized to your capabilities. Know the limitations of your vehicle, gear, and yourself and match that with the terrain and weather.   Mountain environments in the winter can be especially tricky as the weather changes quickly and can quickly get you in trouble.  It’s great to push yourself, but only if you are prepared.

Plan

Plan

Get out a map, Google, Gaia, or paper and plot your course.  Know where you are going to go and share that with someone who will check in on you.  If you don’t come back home, then responders have a decent idea of where you might be.  Planning will also give you a better idea of what you are getting into, how far you can make it, and a better understanding of the terrain and solutions if trails become impassable.  With all the great mapping software, there is no excuse to not map your route.

Stepping up your sharing capabilities, a GPS texting service is a good purchase if you spend much time well on the grid.  If the stuff hits the fan you can call for help and provide your exact coordinates.  HAM radio is also a great way to communicate when off-grid.  HAM has a much better range and capabilities than CB, but it requires a license for normal communication (emergency comms doesn’t require a license. Learn more about HAM and licensing here.

Prepare

Going out in the wild requires some decent prep.  The more challenging your adventure, the more important it to prepare. Winter is a more extreme situation and the cold can kill you. If you take it seriously and are prepared, it can be a blast.  If just winging it, you can become a statistic.

Don’t Get Stuck

Don’t Get Stuck

• High Clearance- If weather predicts snow, make sure you have a vehicle with clearance to get over the snow. Even if you have snow tires and 4-wheel drive, being bottomed out on snow will halt progress. If a foot or more of snow is expected, most sedans and typical SUVs will not cut it.
• Tire Chains- The best of snow or mud tires can be overwhelmed by deep snow. Tire chains take deep snow traction to a whole new level, as they bite into the snow and ice in a way that rubber just can do. I like the variety that has chains going both across the tread and along the diameter, which will give you more grip on side slopes.

Get Unstuck

Get Unstuck

• Traction Boards- Good traction boards are a lifesaver, especially when you drop into a ditch. They provide traction and spread the load over the snow.  They can also be used as a shovel on powdery snow.  Place them in front of your tire and wedge in as much as possible and then drive over them.  Repeat as needed.
• Shovel- If you get really bogged down or slide into a ditch, you’ll need to dig out and clear a path. A shovel is also useful for clearing spots at camp and as an impromptu sled.
• Recovery rope (with a friend) or a winch (if running solo).

Stay Warm

Stay Warm

• Clothing- NO COTTON!! Cotton gets wet and cold and won’t dry out quickly.  Use wool and synthetics that wick and dry to stay warm.   Use layers, so you can control insulation levels and choose the right function for each.  Wicking base layer, insulating mid-layer, and weather (wind & water) proof outer shell.
• Blankets- I always keep at least one thick, warm blanket in the car. Pair that with a Mylar blanket or tarp, and you have a great combo that both insulates and reflects radiant heat back.  Mylar can also be used to reflect heat from a fire towards your seating area or tent.
• Backup- If the temps go sub-zero, or you get wet, it’s a great idea to have an active heat source. The heater in your vehicle is an option for quick heat up, but for overnight, you’ll want either chemical hand warmers for a boost, an electric blanket with a battery setup, or a propane catalytic heater (this is last resort, as they could potentially cause fire or CO2 poisoning.

Stay Hydrated & Fueled

• Water- It is very easy to get dehydrated in the winter. Dry air and sweating from being overdressed can dehydrate you quickly. Yous should have 1 gallon per person, per day.  Yous should also have at least two gallons for your vehicle, as it is very possible to overheat in the cold.
  It’s wise to always have a water filter and means of melting snow to source local water.  See below for a couple of options.
• Food- You burn tons of calories working in the cold, some to stay warm and more to deal with heavy clothing and trudging through the snow.  Make sure you have plenty of food including some calorie-dense emergency rations or bars stashed in your vehicle, go bag and/or first aid kit.

Have fun!

Winter is an amazing time to be outdoors, there are so many sports to try (skiing, snowshoeing, cross-country) and such amazing beauty.  When prepared, you can focus on having fun and enjoying the best of the winter wonderland.

The post 13 Tips On How Not to Die in the Snow appeared first on Atbuz.